Housing for an extended-format releasable plug-in card

ABSTRACT

A unitary housing for an extended-format releasable plug-in card (15). The housing comprises a first block (12) adapted to the standard plug-in card format and designed to contain the standardized portion of the card (15) inserted into the slot of a microcomputer, as well as a second block (16). The housing is characterized in that the second block (16) can receive at least the extension (Z 2 ) of the card (15), and includes flanges (18) positionable between the side edges of the card (15) and those of the first block (12). The flanges (18) enable the first and second blocks (12, 16) to be rigidly connected so that they are inseparable and the whole housing thereafter forms a single block. Said housing is useful for mechanically protecting extended-format PCMCIA electronics.

The invention relates to a housing for an extended, detachable plug-incard intended to be partially inserted, on a temporary basis, in apersonal computer (PC).

Detachable plug-in cards are generally known as PCMCIA cards and areachieved on printed circuit cards in accordance with the PCMCIA standarddefined by the association with the same name ("Personal Computer MemoryCard Association", 1030 B East Duane Avenue, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Theyinclude several integrated circuit chips and a 68-pin female connectorwhich can be plugged into a corresponding male connector of the PC.These cards are mainly mass storage cards which may replace diskettesand other mass storage means of magnetic type in the future. They haveequivalent storage capacities and much faster access times than magneticmemories. They can also be used as RAM extensions for the PC.

Typically, the standard dimensions of the housings, which make itpossible to protect these PCMCIA cards against any possible physicalshocks and external aggressions, are of approximately 5.4 cm by 8.5 cmand their thickness is of approximately 3 to 5 mm.

The PCMCIA standard provides for memory extensions in order to increasethe storage capacities of these cards. This creates a large number ofproblems in terms of practical achievement. Indeed, it is necessary toprovide a new housing in which to accommodate the card equipped with itsextension, while observing certain recommendations submitted by thePCMCIA association concerning dimensions. The standard part of theextended PCMCIA card is always intended to be inserted in the slot of aPC, whereas the extended part, which is connected to the standard part,is intended to remain outside of the PC.

The PCMCIA association has provided a few recommendations regarding thedimensions of the housing capable of containing the extended part. Therecommendations are by no means definite and may still evolve. For thisreason, there is currently no housing marketed with the requireddimensions.

Nevertheless, a solution has been considered. This solution consists ofachieving two independent housings and connecting them. The firsthousing, which exists, contains the standard part of a PCMCIA card. Thesecond housing, which will be achieved as per the dimensions of theextension, contains the latter. It is then necessary to add a male (orfemale) connector to the existing housing, and the complementaryconnector to the second housing. These two additional connectors willthus make it possible to ensure both an electrical link and a mechanicallink between the standard part of the card and its extension.

However, it is immediately clear that this solution has manydisadvantages. Indeed, the achievement of a second connector which canbe plugged into a standard PCMCIA card leads to a loss of approximately20 mm of surface out of a total surface of 85 mm, which amounts to aloss of available surface of approximately 25%. This loss of availablesurface is considerable insofar as the problem to be solved consists ofextending the storage area, i.e. maximising the available surface on oneor more printed circuit cards.

Furthermore, the act of plugging two housings together in order toconnect the standard part of a PCMCIA card to its extension does notmake it possible to obtain a reliable mechanical link. Indeed, given thefact that the extension is located outside of the PC, a mere shockagainst its housing may produce a deterioration, or even a break of thelink between the two additional connectors, i.e. a deterioration of theelectrical and mechanical links created between the standard part andthe extension. As a result, two independent housings connected togetherso as to achieve an extended detachable plug-in card form a fragiledevice with a very low resistance to mechanical shocks. Finally, themanufacturing cost of these housings is too high to enable theirlarge-scale distribution.

No satisfactory solution to manufacture a housing for an extendeddetachable card has yet been proposed up to now.

The present invention makes it possible to eliminate all of theabove-mentioned disadvantages, as it proposes a housing comprising twoblocks rigidly attached to one another so that they form a single block.These two blocks ensure a sturdy mechanical link between the standardpart of a PCMCIA card and its extension.

The invention more specifically concerns a housing for an extendeddetachable plug-in card, comprising a first block achieved as per thestandard size for plug-in cards and intended to contain the standardpart of the card inserted in the slot of a PC, and a second block. Thishousing is characterised in that the second block is capable ofreceiving at least the extension of the card and comprises couplingsintended to be placed between the side edges of the card and those ofthe first block, so as to rigidly attach said first and second blocks.

The housing according to the invention is achieved in such a mannerthat, once assembled, it appears in the form of a single block. It isintended to contain a single printed circuit card which supports boththe standard part and the extension. With this housing, printed circuitsurface available is maximised, as there is no additional fasteningelement, such as a plug-in connector, capable of causing a loss ofsurface. The couplings ensure a good mechanical rigidity for the entirehousing. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost is significantly reduced,as it is no longer necessary to provide additional fastening elements.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be moreclearly understood upon reading the description which follows, providedon an illustrative and non-limiting basis and made with reference to theattached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a housing for an extendedplug-in card,

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of a housing according to theinvention,

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an element of a housing according to theinvention,

FIG. 4 is a top view of a housing according to the invention partiallyinserted in the slot of a PC.

The housing according to the invention, for an extended detachable cardwith a plug-in connector, is indicated by reference number 10. Thishousing comprises two blocks: a first block 12 is achieved as per thestandard size for plug-in cards and is intended to contain the standardpart of a PCMCIA card, which is inserted in the slot 31 of a PC 30; asecond block 16 is provided to contain a memory extension of the PCMCIAcard. The extended part of the card is intended to remain outside of theslot 31 of the PC. In theory, the standard part contained in the firstblock 12 comprises a 68-pin external female connector 11 which canpenetrate the root of the slot 31, the latter being equipped with acorresponding 68-pin male connector. This male connector makes up aparallel input-output port for the PC and the communication between thedetachable plug-in card and the PC is a parallel type communication.

The PCMCIA card comprises one or more integrated circuit chips andconnections are achieved between this/these chip(s) and the various pinsof the external plug-in connector 11. But the card may have otherfunctions and comprise, for example, a microprocessor, etc.

Typically, the dimensions of the first standard block 12, according tothe PCMCIA standard, are of approximately 5.4 cm by 8.5 cm, with athickness of approximately 3 to 5 mm.

The housing 10 containing the detachable plug-in card is shown outsideof the slot 31 of the PC 30. The block 12 is inserted in the slot 31along the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 1.

As far as the dimensions of the block 16 provided for the extension ofthe card are concerned, the PCMCIA association has issued a fewrecommendations, but nothing has been clearly decided to date. As aresult, the housing according to the invention has been achieved withdimensions which may be adapted to future standards possibly fallingwithin the scope of these recommendations.

The length L₁ of the block 16 is defined as being parallel to thelongitudinal sides of the standard block 12, and its width l is definedas being parallel to the small sides of the standard block 12.

Details of the housing of FIG. 1 will be more clearly understood uponexamining FIG. 2. Indeed, in this figure the housing is shown inexploded form.

In an advantageous manner, the standard part and the extended part ofthe PCMCIA card are achieved on the same printed circuit card 15. Thiscard comprises two regions: the first region Z₁ corresponds to thestandard part of the card and the second region Z₂ corresponds to theextended part. The first region Z₁ is of the printed circuit card 15 istherefore intended to be placed in the first block 12 of the housing,whereas the other region Z₂ is intended to be placed in the second block16.

The first block 12 consists of a rear surface 13 and a front surface 14whose assembly is preferably performed by means of clips. These clipsare for example lugs, provided on the lower face of the front surface14, which interlock with recesses provided on the upper face of the rearsurface 13. These clips are not visible in FIG. 2. There are for examplefour of them: two on each side, along the longitudinal edges of theblock 12; but there can be more or less of them. When the rear 13 andfront 14 surfaces are assembled, the maximum width of the printedcircuit card 15, inside the block 12, is approximately equal to 53.5 mm.

In an advantageous manner, couplings 18 are provided in the prolongationof the second block 16. These couplings 18 are intended to be placedbetween the side edges of the card 15 and those of the first block 12.They thus make it possible to rigidly attach the two blocks 12 and 16,in such a manner that they become inseparable and that the housing,taken as a whole, forms a single block. Furthermore, the couplings 18ensure a good mechanical rigidity for the entire housing.

Preferably, each coupling 18 comprises, at its end for example, a lug 26capable of interlocking with a recess 27 provided in the printed circuitcard 15. The lugs 26 thus make it possible to lock the second block 16in the standard block 12, and to avoid the slightest possible backwardmovement of the second block 16 with respect to the printed circuit card15. In an optional embodiment, it is absolutely possible to providethese lugs somewhere on the couplings, in the middle for example.

The frame 17 of the second block 16 is for example achieved using astainless steel sheet. This sheet has the advantage of being flexibleand easy to work, thus simplifying its shaping. Due to this flexibility,the couplings 18 tend to separate from or come closer to one anotherwhen they are not retained. In the housing according to the invention,the lateral retention of the couplings is therefore ensured, on the onehand, by means of the card 15 and, on the other hand, by means of theside edges of the standard block 12.

The front surface 19 of the second block 16 is preferably achieved usinga plastic material.

In FIG. 2, the second block 16 is wider than the standard block 12. Thiswidth is not fixed, and may vary from one housing to another.

The two blocks 12 and 16 making it possible to achieve the housing foran extended PCMCIA card according to the invention are assembled withoutadditional fastening elements, in a specific order. Once assembled,these blocks cannot be easily separated. The assembly of the blocks ofthe housing first consists of separating the rear surface 13 from thefront surface 14 of the standard block 12. The couplings 18 of thesecond block 16 are then placed along the longitudinal edges of theprinted circuit card 15 so that the lugs 26 interlock with the recesses27. Then, the assembly consisting of the block 16 secured to the card 15by means of the couplings 18 is engaged in the standard block 12. Thelast step of the assembly consists of securing the front surface 14 ofthe standard block 12 to the rear surface 13, and the front surface 19of the second block 16, intended for the extension, to the frame 17.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the second block 16 of the housingaccording to the invention, i.e. a view of the block intended to containthe second region Z₂ of the card 15 forming the extension of the PCMCIAcard. The frame 17 of this block 16 preferably has a cubical shape asshown in FIG. 2. However, according to one embodiment, it may have adifferent shape. Thus, in FIG. 3, the longitudinal edges of the block donot have the same height at each of their ends and thus have generallyquadrilateral shapes.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to achieve such a block 16 so that ithas a height sufficiently great to enable it to contain one or moreadditional printed circuit cards. Thus, the additional card(s) is/arestacked connected (together and) with the extended card 15. Theconnection between the cards is performed by means of conducting wiresfor example. This stacking of the cards thus makes it possible tofurther increase, in a significant manner, the available printed circuitsurface, i.e. the memory area and the storage capacity.

The bottom 20 of the block 16 is assembled with the frame 17 by weldingfor example. It is placed in such a manner that its inner face 21 restsagainst tabs 22 and 23 provided on the lower part of the frame 17. Thebottom 20 is then welded, or bonded for example, onto the tabs 22 and23.

Preferably, additional small tabs 24 are provided on the bottom 20, atboth sides of its front end intended to be accommodated between the twocouplings 18 of the block 16. These tabs 24 are also welded, or bonded,onto the couplings 18. They provide additional reinforcement andcontribute to the lateral retention of the couplings 18 and to obtaininga good mechanical rigidity for the entire housing according to theinvention. The front surface of the block 16 is not shown in FIG. 3 but,as previously mentioned, it is preferably achieved using a plasticmaterial.

The dimensions of the block 16 intended to receive the region Z₂ of theprinted circuit card 15, i.e. the memory extension region, are providedherein as an example. The invention is by no means limited to thesedimensions. Indeed, they are fully adaptable to future standardspossibly defined by the PCMCIA association.

The second block 16 can thus have a height H₁, comprised between 10 and25 mm, a width l comprised between 54 and 70 mm, and a length L₁comprised between 40 and 50 mm.

The couplings 18 preferably have a length L₂ comprised between 50 and 60mm so as to properly enter the standard block 12, a height H₂ comprisedbetween 2 and 3 mm, and a thickness e comprised between 0.1 and 0.7 mm.The couplings 18 are separated from one another by a value comprisedbetween 53.7 mm and 52.5 mm.

With the housing according to the invention, the available surface onthe printed circuit card 15 is maximised. Indeed, the width of the cardis only decreased by the value of the thickness of the couplings and thetotal length (L₁ +L₂) is fully available since there is/are noadditional element(s), such as plug-in connectors, capable of causing aloss of surface. In addition, since the second block 16 of the housingis manufactured using an inexpensive stainless steel sheet, which foldseasily to create various shapes, and the standard block 12 is notmodified, the manufacturing cost of the housing according to theinvention is relatively low and adapted to large-scale distribution.Finally, the housing has a good mechanical rigidity, since the twoblocks are assembled in such a manner that they become inseparable.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a housing according to the invention,partially inserted in the slot 31 of a PC 30. The front surfaces 14 and19 of the blocks 12 and 16 are not shown in this figure. In addition,the parts common to the previous figures are indicated by the samereference numbers and shall not be described.

The clips making it possible to close the housing are illustrated withsmall circles and indicated by reference number 9. The tabs 24 belongingto the bottom 20, of the block 16 intended for the extended part, arepreferably welded or bonded onto the couplings 18. They thus make itpossible to contribute to the lateral retention of the couplings and toobtaining a good mechanical rigidity for the entire housing.

An optional embodiment consisting of stacking an additional printedcircuit card 7 on the card 15 is shown in FIG. 4. The additional card 7is connected to the card 15 by means of conducting wires for example,passing through holes provided in the additional card 7 and not shown inFIG. 4.

What is claimed is:
 1. An extended plug in card, having a first block(12) adapted to fit into and make electrical connections in a slot (31)of a computer (30), and a second extended sized block (16), said cardcontaining a printed circuit card (15) with a first region (z1)mechanically fixed in said first block, and a second region (z2) in saidsecond block; a coupling (18) extending from said second block into saidfirst block and mechanically fixed by mating with said printed circuitcard (15), whereby said first and second blocks are joined together withthe printed circuit card therein.
 2. The card according to claim 1,characterized in that the second block (16) is achieved using astainless steel sheet.
 3. The card according to claim 1, characterizedin that the block (16) has a height (H₁) sufficiently great to enable itto contain one or more additional printed circuit cards, stacked on topof one another and connected together.
 4. The card according to claim 1,characterized in that the second block (16) has a height (H₁) comprisedbetween 10 and 25 mm, a width (1) comprised between 54 and 70 mm, and alength (L₁) comprised between 40 and 50 mm.
 5. The card according toclaim 1, wherein said coupling comprises a pair, with one on eachlateral side of the printed circuit card (15).
 6. The card according toone of claims 1, 5, or 2, characterized in that the coupling ofcouplings (18) each have a length (L₂) comprised between 50 and 60 mm, aheight (H₂) comprised between 2 and 3 mm, and a thickness (e) comprisedbetween 0.1 and 0.7 mm, and in that they are separated from one anotherby a value comprised between 53.7 mm and 52.5 mm.
 7. The card accordingto claim 5, characterized in that each coupling (18) comprises a lug(26) capable of interlocking with a corresponding recess (27) providedin the printed circuit card (15).
 8. A housing for an extended plug-incard comprisinga first block (12) of a size adapted to fit with acomputer slot, and having a front plate (14) and a rear plate (13), saidrear plate having a hollow central portion a second extended part block(16) adapted to extend outside the computer slot when the first block istherein, and having a hollow frame (17) with a front plate (19), abottom plate (20), three side walls on three sides, and couplings (18)extending parallel outwardly from two opposite side walls, and mountableinside said hollow portion of said first block when said blocks areassembled said blocks adapted to receive at least one printed circuitboard (15) to be mounted in said hollow portion of said first block andwith a coupling engaging said board, whereby when assembled saidcoupling holds said two blocks together.
 9. The housing according toclaim 8, characterized in that the coupling comprises a lug capable ofinterlocking with a corresponding recess provided in the at least oneprinted circuit board.
 10. The housing according to claim 8, furthercomprising tabs (23, 24) protruding inwardly from said coupling (18) andsaid bottom plate (20).
 11. The housing according to claim 10, whereinsaid tabs (24) on said bottom plate are welded to said supports.